2 dead, 2 unaccounted for after dangerous South Fulton house fire

SOUTH FULTON, Ga. - Fire crews have had to wait most of the day to sift through the rubble after putting out a massive blaze at a South Fulton home. The bodies of two people were recovered inside and firefighters say they are searching for two more people.

Officials with the South Fulton Fire and Rescue say firefighters responded to a single-family home on the 7200 block of Oswego Trail.

According to officials, at around 4:40 a.m. responders got a call reporting the fire at the home.

"I heard the glass popping, turned around, the house was up," said Jerome Harris who was asleep in the home when the fire started. Harris says the blaze seemed to consume the home in no time.

When crews got to the scene they found the building covered in heavy smoke and flames with the roof partially caved in. South Fulton Fire Lt. Eric Jackson described the situation as "dangerous."

"There was heavy smoke and flames coming from every window and door in the home," said Lt. Jackson.

At least seven people were rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital. They were believed to be in stable condition.

Fire officials say four people were unaccounted for, crews spent hours searching for them. 

"Firefighters are on their hands and knees working through the debris seeing what they can find," said Lt. Jackson.

By late afternoon, the bodies of a man and woman were recovered. A woman and a child were still unaccounted for.  

By nightfall, they had not yet been found, crews will return at daybreak Thursday to continue the search. 

"Keep us in your prayers, that's all you can do," said Harris. 

Officials said it's difficult to get inside to find people.

"Two-by-fours, flooring, you name it, it's been compromised," South Fulton Fire Department Public Information Officer Lt. Eric Jackson said. "Looking at it from the backside, that is all sunken in, all fallen in. So it's really hampering the efforts of our firefighters to get in there."

The South Fulton Fire Rescue, South Fulton Police Department and State Fire Marshal are investigating the origin of the fire.